Right after Arrow fans finally got their first look at Ra's al Ghul -- Season 3's big bad and still-suspected Canary killer (despite the twist) -- The CW's superhero series stalled the serialized momentum with a villain-of-the-week. And also unlike last week's “The Magician,” the fifth installment's episodic adventure didn't feature many references to the DCU either. However, “The Secret Origin of Felicity Smoak” did focus on Arrow's most lovable character, so the lack of a lot of easter eggs is easily forgiven.
Felicity
The episode was originally titled "Oracle," but the writers chose to go with the popular DC moniker of 'Secret Origins' instead. Perhaps they are saving the former for Felicity's spin-off? That wouldn't be a bad idea. In the meantime, the I.T. girl (another good title) is still working for Ray Palmer (aka The Atom) at Queen Consolidated during the day and fighting (the rebranded) Star City's crime at night. And, since she's the star of the installment, the villain-of-the-week is obviously computer-related as well as tied into her origin story.
When 'hacktivist' group Brother Eye starts comparing their end game to the earthquake and the siege, Captain Lance knows he needs help from the Smoak. She's a bit preoccupied by a visit from Mom, but the flashbacks show us the creation of the super-virus that is being used to terrorize Starling. They also show Felicity in what is essentially Death cosplay, not to mention her former boyfriend in a particularly telling t-shirt. Their college accomplice, Myron Forest, is another nice namedrop and, along with Brother Eye, ties into the O.M.A.C. files that Felicity found for Ray a few episodes back. Hm. Remember when The Flash mentioned Infinite Crisis? It's all coming together.
Before setting its sights on Felicity, her "Secret Origin" opened by cross-cutting between three different training sessions: Oliver and Roy in the foundry, Laureland Ted in the Wildcat Gym and, finally, Thea and Malcolm in some villainous lair. When the trouble with Brother Eye starts, the D.A. happens to be on vacation in Coast City, which means Laurel is temporarily in charge and she, once again, lets anger over Sara get the better of her and over-steps her authority by ordering riot police to take care of some rowdy citizens outside a Starling City bank.
Luckily, Arrow and Arsenal show up in time to use a tear gas arrow to disperse the crowd. Because cops don't have tear gas, or citizens will only respond to it if it's coming from an arrow. Dig's also around to help out with the threat, but he's hindered a bit by having to babysit Sara. Lyla is out on a mission for A.R.G.U.S., an agency that apparently sends agents to pick up other agent's kids. There were a lot nonsensical things happening in the otherwise entertaining episode. As for enjoyable throwaway lines, I enjoyed Ollie calling Thea Speedy and Laurel's decision to fight in black. Was there ever any doubt?
Arrow continues with Episode 6, “Guilty,” next Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. ET on The CW. Created by Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg and Greg Berlanti, the DC Comics inspired series stars Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Emily Bett Rickards, Willa Holland, Colton Haynes, Paul Blackthorne and John Barrowman.
And for more on that nightmarish twist, check out the promo for “Guilty”...
